Keeping yourself and others safe

Hoarding

Hoarding involves the acquisition of items with an associated inability to discard things that have little or no value (in the opinions of others) to the point where it interferes with use of living space or activities of daily living. When significant, hoarding can impair functioning by preventing normal uses of space. For example, limiting activities such as cooking, cleaning, moving through the house and sleeping. It could also potentially put the adult and others at risk from fire. 

Many hoarders may be well-presented to the outside world, appearing to cope with other aspects of their lives quite well, giving no indication of what is going on behind closed doors. Hoarding can be an aspect of self-neglect, it covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings. It can also be an indicator of scams (add a link on scams below here).  

Compulsive hoarding (more accurately described as 'hoarding disorder') it is the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress. Compulsive hoarders may be conscious of their irrational behaviour but the emotional attachment to the hoarded objects far exceeds the motivation to discard the items. Compulsive hoarding behaviour has been associated with health risks, impaired functioning, economic burden, and adverse effects on friends and family members. Periods of self-neglect can also be intentional, unintentional, brief, prolonged, repeated or single incidents 

Self-neglect may arise from an unwillingness, or an inability to care for oneself – or both. These are interlinked where unwillingness arises from a care and support need (e.g. undiagnosed pain prevents a person from be able to, or wanting, to clean their home). 

Self-neglect may occur for many reasons: 

1. A behavioural condition 
2. A mental health issue 
3. A cognitive impairment 
4. Changes in physical ability 
5. Triggered by trauma and significant life events 
6. Personal choice. 

For more information visit: bolton-policies-and-procedures and the Safeguarding adults at risk – Bolton Council website.